Frankfurt Book Fair faces AI threats and declining readership

The Frankfurt Book Fair is currently navigating significant industry challenges, ranging from technological threats to shifting consumer habits. A primary concern for the publishing sector and journalism is the rise of artificial intelligence, which is viewed as a potential threat to the written word and the traditional roles of creators.

In addition to technological anxieties, the industry is facing a decline in readership and revenue. Specifically, there has been a notable drop in young readers aged 11 to 15, with numbers decreasing by over 30 percent compared to the previous year. To combat this, many publishers have created immersive experience worlds at the fair to encourage engagement among children and teenagers.

While the fair features over 350 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, the atmosphere is marked by a sense of existential uncertainty regarding the future of reading and the economic stability of the book market.